Bit-brace.



Patnted luly 17, I900.

R. LEWIS.

an BBACE.

(Application filed Aug. 4, 1899.)

(No Model.)

anueul'oz m: apams PETERS co. Pno'roumo. WASHINGTON o c NlTED STATES ROBERT LEWIS, OF CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO.

BlT-BRAC E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 654,012, dated July 17, 1900. Application filed August 4, 1899. Serial No. 726,073. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT LEWIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chihuahua, in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bit-Braces; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to bit-braces.

The object is to provide a brace by means of which the bit may be easily and quickly applied to and removed from the brace, and which when in position cannot be accidentally drawn from engagement with the brace.

With this object in view the invention consists in certain features of construction and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved bit-brace. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, the groove in the collar being alined with the slot in the brace-socket to enable the bit to be inserted or withdrawn. Fig. 3 is a similar view 1 with the collar adjusted to throw its groove out of alinement with the slot in the bitsocket. Fig. 4 is an end view of the lockingcollar. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the lower end of the bit-socket. Fig. 6 is a view of the bit.

In the drawings the same reference characters indicate the same parts of the invention.

1 denotes the bit-brace, which may be of any well-known or approved construction. The lower end of the brace is provided with a bit-socket 2, having one side formed with a longitudinal slot 8.

4 denotes a collar located in a groove in the socket end and having in its inner periphery a longitudinal groove 5, which is adapted to register with the slot aforesaid. The collar preferably consists of a spring-band having parallel ears 4, which are engaged by a setscrew 4 by means of which wear may be taken up to insure a comparatively-close frictional contact of the collar with the base of the groove, and thereby preventing it from accidentally shifting and releasing the bit, as will hereinafter more fully appear. This collar has a limited rotary movement to bring its groove into and out of alinement with the slot. Any suitable means may be provided for limiting the movement of the collar, but that shown in the accompanying drawings is preferred, and consists of a pin 6, fixed to the aforesaid side of the brace and engaging the end wall? of a recess 8, formed in the collar.

10 denotes the bit, the shank of which in cross-section corresponds to the socket in the end of the brace. The upper end of the shank is provided with a pin 11, which in the inser tion of the shank in the socket slides upward in the slot of the brace and groove of the collar. When the pin reaches a point above the groove in the collar, the collar is given a partial turn, thus throwing the groove out of alinement with the slot in the brace and looking the bit against displacement. As the pin on the shank is seated in the slot in the brace said shank must necessarily turn with the rotation of the brace.

When it is desired to remove the bit from the brace, this may be readily accomplished by partially turning the collar to bring its groove into alinement with the slot in the brace, so that the pin in the end of the shank may be slid through the groove in the collar out of the slot in the brace.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

A bit-brace having a bit-socketformed with a longitudinal groove in its interior Wall and with an annular groove in its exterior wall, of a locking-collar mounted in said annular groove and flush with the external wall of the bit-socket said collar being provided with parallel ears and a set-screw for clamping them together, and with a vertical groove adapted to register with the groove aforesaid and being formed with a recess in its upper edge, a pin fixed to the bit-socket to be engaged by the end walls of said recess, and a bit, the shank of which fits snugly within said bit-socket and is provided with a transverse pin to be engaged by said collar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT LEl/VIS.

Vitnesses:

J 0s. N. SWEENEY, JOHN C. JAIMEsoN. 

